Discover the Culinary Demo Stage at Music City Food & Wine Festival—an inspiring lineup of chef-led demos, tastings, and conversations, all mapped out in the official schedule below.
Culinary Demo Stage
Supported By
Friday April 24 Schedule
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Two Chefs, Two Burgers: A Perfect Pair
6:45 PM
Chefs Shane Nasby of Cledis Burgers and Alex Belew of Chinwag join forces to debut their distinct takes on the ultimate burger as they gear up to open their new Murfreesboro restaurant. -
Agave Uncovered with G4 Tequila
7:30 PM
Led by Kobe Desmet, this guided tasting explores the history of agave spirits, breaking down the differences between tequila and mezcal while highlighting their unique flavor profiles. -
Shuck Showdown
8:15PM
Representatives from Cliff’s Oyster Bar, Hall’s Catch, and The Southern Steak & Oyster compete to shuck a dozen oysters the fastest—cleanly and flawlessly—before serving their signature oysters for the crowd to enjoy.
Saturday april 25 schedule
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First Generation Flavors: Stories from Nashville’s Immigrant Kitchens
6:30 PM
Moderated by Anas Saba of Nashville Hidden Gems, chefs Vivek Surti (Tailor), Ana Aguilar (Tantísimo), and Shivani Darsinos (Cafe Babu) share candid insights on the challenges, triumphs, and cultural impact of building immigrant-owned restaurants in Nashville. -
Omakase at Home: The Art of Nigiri
7:30 PM
Chef Junior Vo of Noko and Kase x Noko reveals the fundamentals of crafting perfect nigiri, offering a rare glimpse into the technique and precision behind one of Nashville’s most sought-after dining experiences.
Sunday April 26 Schedule
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The Local Palate Cookbook Club: Behind the Recipes
11:30 AM
Moderated by Erin Murray of The Local Palate, celebrated authors Katie Jacobs, Mignon Francois, Cortney LaCorte, and Lokelani Alabanza discuss the inspiration, process, and personal stories that bring their cookbooks to life. -
Hot Chicken Remix: A Collaboration with Hattie B’s x Joyland
12:30 PM
Brian Morris (Hattie B’s) and Davis Reese (Joyland) team up to demo their limited-edition Hot Chicken BLT Biscuit, sharing the creativity and fun behind cross-restaurant collaboration. -
Stand By Your Pan: Comfort Food with Hannah Dasher
1:45 PM
Author and performer Hannah Dasher brings her signature charm to the stage with a live demo from her new cookbook, Stand By Your Pan, featuring nostalgic, budget-friendly comfort food with a modern twist.
NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN PARTY: Fryin' Fresh + Dippin' Hot! With Brian Morris of Hattie B's Hot Chicken
2:00PM ON THE MAIN STAGE
Hattie B's Hot Chicken Executive Chef Brian Morris will bring the Hot Chicken Party to the culinary demo stage at Music City Food & Wine. Morris will share tips and techniques while inviting audience members on stage to join the fun. The recipe lineup: the food science of making the perfect fried pickle; a quick lesson on grilling and frying chicken while making a roulade with signature Hattie B's ingredients; and the magic of a classic Nashville Hot Chicken dip!
Nashville native Brian Morris grew up enjoying hot chicken with family and friends, but had no plans to one day serve Music City’s signature dish.
His culinary career led him to New York City, where he cooked at the iconic Le Cirque restaurant. Brian, classically-trained, was also a private chef for several years. When he returned to his hometown, he joined the team at Hattie B’s Hot Chicken in 2015—with two restaurants at the time. Today, Brian leads culinary operations for the fast casual eatery's 13 locations across five states.
Local Chefs Panel Discussion
1:00PM ON THE MAIN STAGE
Some restaurants serve more than just great food—they serve history, heritage, and heart. Join a panel of Nashville’s beloved multi-generational restaurant families for a meaningful conversation about what it means to carry on a family legacy in the ever-evolving food industry.
Moderated by some of Nashville’s most respected food writers and storytellers, this panel will explore the joys and challenges of working alongside parents, preserving traditions while embracing change, and navigating the modern restaurant world with deep roots and family pride.
Tortilla Time with Julio Hernandez of Maiz de la Vida
12:30PM ON THE MAIN STAGE
The tortilla master himself will be showcasing some tricks and tips on how to make his famous tortillas definitely aren’t your typical store-bought tortillas. They’re made using a traditional process called nixtamalization, wherein dried corn is soaked in a mixture of water and calcium hydroxide, set to rest and then processed through a mill to make masa, or dough. The masa is then shaped and pressed into tortillas and cooked. Learn from the master himself on the main stage!
How To Grill: Japanese Yakitori Style with Jess Benefield of Two Ten Jack
11:15 AM ON THE MAIN STAGE
Join celebrated chef and restaurateur Jess Benefield, the powerhouse behind Nashville’s beloved Two Ten Jack, for a live cooking demonstration that brings the heat—literally. Jess will showcase the art of traditional Japanese yakitori grilling, sharing techniques, flavor secrets, and the cultural roots of this centuries-old style of cooking. Using an authentic yakitori grill, she’ll demonstrate how to perfectly skewer and grill meats, vegetables, and more over binchotan charcoal for maximum flavor and char.
Brunch Cocktails for a Crowd with Ivey Childers of Southbound Tequila
10:45 AM ON THE MAIN STAGE
Looking to level up your hosting game this summer? Join Ivey Childers, founder of Southbound Tequila, for a lively and hands-on demo where she’ll show you how to craft the perfect batched cocktail—ideal for brunches, backyard hangs, and all your warm-weather gatherings.
Ivey will share her favorite tips for balancing flavor, presentation, and ease when serving a crowd, so you can spend less time behind the bar and more time enjoying the party. Whether you're a seasoned entertainer or just love a good drink, you’ll walk away with fresh inspiration and a signature recipe to impress your guests all season long.
Beyond the Buzz: Relationship Coffee with 8th & Roast
10:00 AM ON THE MAIN STAGE
With a commitment to direct farm relationships, community is the crux of 8th & Roast's coffee culture. Join an in-depth conversation about the local coffee roaster's worldwide presence, sample 8th & Roast's original relationship coffee, and learn a few tips on how to brew and taste the best possible cup of coffee. The 8th & Roast culinary team will join the conversation to showcase their commitment to perfect coffee pairings through the company's culinary offerings.